Metallica comes to Comic-Con to introduce their new 3-D film

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Ever since Metallica announced they were going to perform a show at a secret venue after their panel on Friday in Hall H at Comic-Con, rumors have been swirling where the concert would take place. The mystery may have been solved.

Trucks pulled up outside Spreckels Theatre on Thursday afternoon, and big guys started unloading big rigs, and some of what they unloaded was sporting big Metallica logos on the sides.

An NBC 7 employee saw a roadie headed into the nearby theatre’s side entrance holding a guitar case with Metallica’s James Hetfield’s name on the side and asked if the venue was where the metal gods were playing. The worker confirmed it was indeed.

Could they be rehearsing on Thursday night at Spreckels and playing somewhere else Friday. Sure, but they could also be playing at Spreckels on Friday night.

Comic-Con’s extensive lineup of media attractions later just got substantially heavier ealier this month when the band announced they would be on hand to preview their upcoming 3-D feature film, Metallica Through the Never, on July 19.

All four of the historic band’s members will be at their inaugural Comic-Con appearance. A press release states that the group will talk about their 3-D big-screen adaptation of a live performance shot in Vancouver last year. Fans are sure to start lining up early in Hall H of the Convention Center.

The band has also given metalheads an extra special incentive to get a seat at their Comic-Con panel. Metallica will be playing a secret show in San Diego that very same night, and only attendees of the Hall H panel will receive the chance to score some tickets to that exclusive event.

Fans of the band will now have the chance to catch their first local show by the band since their performance at what was then the Cox Arena in 2008.

This isn't Metallica’s first film tie to the region. The then-named Sports Arena was the setting for a live-performance film shot on Jan. 13-14 in 1992. Nor is that the only other San Diego/Metallica connection: Original guitarist Dave Mustaine was born and grew up in La Mesa.

This event will mark the availability of pre-sale tickets for Metallica Through the Never, which will premier in theaters Sep. 27, 2013